Well, I'm almost ready to start smocking Emily's Easter dress. Today I traced my pattern pieces and prewashed my fabric. Now why did I buy 100% cotton fabric? It will always need ironed. What was I thinking?! :-)
I have not yet decided on the smocking plate yet, but I think I've narrowed it down to two. Sometimes I wish there was an heirloom sewing shop in town or in the city just so I could browse the smocking plates, patterns, and laces. As it is, I will be purchasing my lace and trim online without the satisfaction of being able to see and touch it beforehand. I decided to choose a smocking plate from my collection (mostly purchased on clearance when a sweet lady in Denver sold her business).
I also dug out my pleater, a Sally Stanley, purchased in 1995 by my sweet husband for Valentine's Day, and a total surprise to me. He ordered the pleater from Linda's Silver Needle in Chicago, another great place that is no longer in business. (I still have a mug that Linda gave me when I visited her shop on our way through on vacation). I found out today that Sally Stanley pleaters are no longer being made which is too bad. Mine has been a great pleater and I've never had problems with it. I should probably buy a spare set of replacement needles for the pleater....
Tomorrow I will decide on a smocking pattern, and I will pleat the skirt front and the sleeves so I can begin smocking. I so enjoy hand work, and I'm looking forward to working on this. It's been too many years since I've smocked. Joy, joy, joy!
Ruth
Isn't anticipation sometimes fun? Can't wait to see finished product. And, by the way, congratulations on the baby!! Hope mother and baby are doing well.
ReplyDeleteJeannie W.
Consider me a cheerleader in the background! Loving to see another person getting into the smocking thing again!!!
ReplyDeleteI have that same yoke dress pattern. I bought it from ebay to make my granddaughter, Miss M, a flower girl dress.
I have downloaded plate freebies from the grace knott site. I know what ever you choose will be wonderful!
I'll be back!
I don't know if it's the same place, probably not- but my mom and I love to go to a store called the "Silver Needle" in Tulsa, OK when we visit my grandparents. I can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDelete~Elissa
Jeannie, Both Jessica and Elliot are doing great. And I get to see them tomorrow! I'm so excited.
ReplyDeleteDawn, Thanks for the suggestion about the Grace Knott site. I'd forgotten about it and was glad to be reminded. I'd love to see pics of the flower girl dress.
Ellisa, Same name, different stores. The one in Chicago was a smocking/heirloom sewing store and the one in Tulsa is a cross stitch store.
I use to work for Linda at Linda's Silver Needle in Naperville/Chicago. I miss her and would love to talk to her if anyone knows where to contact her, I would be so appreciative. She is a lovely, lovely person.
ReplyDelete